Trends New Zealand Trends Volume 32 No 6 New Zealand | Page 118

There are often two sides to a complete
bathroom renovation – the physical graft,
such as reconciling the floor levels and
services, and then the more visible aspects
that create the ambience.
And designer David Ellwood had both
of these to address in full measure when
it came to creating this airy bathing space.
With the existing, dated spa tub pulled out
and steps removed from the shower area,
the floors were substantially reworked.
“In terms of the new look, the owners
wanted a contemporary, spa-like space

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with a freestanding bath, a floor-mounted
filler, a completely open shower, and a
feeling of increased space,” says Ellwood.
In response, the designer introduced a
mirror wall to one side on the bathroom
and large-format mirrors above the vanity
opposite. The new, open shower has a
sloping floor – another labour-intensive
element – and a stainless steel strip drain.
The clean-lined vanity, circular basins,
large-format wall and floor tiles, and freestanding tub all add to the feel required.
However, as in the saying ‘fancy lights

and mirrors’, it’s the bathroom’s almost
magical, multi-source indirect lighting
that really lets the space come into its own.
There are LED strips running under
the benchtop and toekick, and the raised
wall mirrors are backlit too. Plus the entire
vanity is underlit and there are seven tiny
wall-washing lights set into the wall tiles.
These lights plus the spot lights overhead
all run on five individual circuits so that
every lighting scenario is possible.
To add to the sparkle, chrome inserts
feature between every second tile row.